Greetings petition signers,
A major Plan Commission meeting is coming up this Monday, September 10th at 6:00 pm at Village Hall regarding some proposed ordinance changes. If approved, these changes would turn Waunakee into a more urban community like Sun Prairie or Madison, something that many residents have been vigorously opposed to in the past. At minimum, we should wait until Hovde is finished next year until we make any changes so we can see how the traffic and parking arrangements work out. The first change would be height. The maximum building height in nearly all zoning districts including commercial, office, and industrial zoning would be increased from 45 to 55 feet. The building height in the downtown district is already 55 feet despite significant citizen opposition to the change and inconsistencies with the 2003 Central Business District Plan. The plan encouraged two story infill development downtown per page 35. The controversy and citizen outcry resulted in two new Village Board trustees being elected this past spring. According to Sam Kaufmann’s Tribune letter, “the maximum building height in Sun Prairie for all zoning except office is 40 feet.” Therefore, if the changes pass, the new ordinances would allow a more urban feel in Waunakee than Sun Prairie. The next change deals with building density in the downtown area. The village is trying to put infill buildings downtown in hard-to-develop areas. The change is that developers would be allowed to place improvements like stormwater and parking across the street or within 500 feet of their development. Main Street is challenging to cross as a pedestrian already, not to mention the fact that Main Street received a D grade on the Hovde traffic study. The D grade does not even take into account the new traffic that will come from Hovde. Dense housing needs to be put in an area of town that can accommodate additional traffic, and the downtown area is not one of those places. The third change is in regards to property adjacent to more restrictive zoning districts. This change would allow taller buildings based on new requirements for structure setbacks. According to Linda Ashmore’s Tribune letter, this change would mean that “new development that includes commercial zoning next to residential could lead to very tall buildings next to your home.” This change would apply to all village zoning districts, including residential property. Please attend the meeting or email your thoughts on the changes to czellner@waunakee.com. Comments will be read out loud as they were with the T. Wall Plan Commission meeting. You can also download and print a comment sheet to fill out at this link: https://sites.google.com/view/meeting-comment-sheet/home. You can take this sheet to Village Hall on Monday (hours are 7 am - 4:15 pm) or bring it with you to the meeting. All you need to do is write your name, address, who you represent, Ordinance Changes on the agenda line, and check the opposed box. Please remember that the Plan Commission only makes a recommendation to the Village Board. The final vote will be during a public hearing at an upcoming Village Board meeting. We will share that date with you once it becomes available. There is also one more important agenda item for the Monday night meeting in regards to the American Legion Property on Main Street. The developer will be holding a consultation about redeveloping that parcel and presenting their project plan. The applicant also wants to amend the Comprehensive Plan to rezone the property. If you live nearby or adjacent to the Legion, this is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and learn about the project. This is not a public hearing, but if you cannot attend, you can email a question, comment, or concern to czellner@waunakee.com and specify Public Comment in the subject line. The Plan Commission will not be taking any action related to the Legion property at this meeting. The next step will be a neighborhood meeting.
Full Meeting Agenda: https://onbase.waunakee.com/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=1067&doctype=1